Larger text
Smaller text
Print
E-mail
Search begins for cause of Cherryhill Township gas fire
The state Department of Environmental Protection is investigating the cause of a gas fire Sunday in Indiana County.
The fire at 9:47 a.m. yesterday occurred in a wooded area near the shore of Two Lick Lake along Allen Bridge Road in Cherryhill Township, according to Indiana 911 emergency management. The 911 Web site termed the incident as a "possible methane gas fire."
Clymer volunteer Fire Chief Mike Aikens said crews from his department extinguished the fire shortly after responding to the scene.
"Whether it was a well leaking or something from underground, it was free-burning in a wooded area," Aikens said.
No injuries or significant damage were reported.
Representatives from the state agency as well as EXCO North Coast Energy Inc. — which has gas wells in proximity to the blaze — and Homer City power plant were on scene investigating a possible cause.
Company officials were unavailable for comment yesterday.
DEP spokeswoman Helen Humphreys said agency staff on scene were unable to determine yesterday the nature or origin of the leak.
"It does not appear to be related to methane gas, however, we haven't completed our investigation," Humphreys said.
The cause may be related to an active or abandoned coal mine in the area, Humphreys said.
More Regional headlines
- Emotional event near Shanksville honors Flight 93 heroes
- Baden ceremony honors those who served in World War II, Korean War
- County bicyclist struck, killed; police apprehend two
- A Penguins' void: 'The Voice' is muted
- Ground broken for Flight 93 memorial
- Albert Gallatin Memorial Bridge implosion set for Monday
- Tarentum woman worried about $1 million trust fund
- Farmhand convicted in Greene County slaying denied new trial
